GOMA, Democratic Republic of the Congo (CHATNEWSTV) — The Group of Seven foreign ministers on Sunday condemned Rwanda-backed M23 rebels for their latest offensive in eastern Congo, calling for an immediate halt to the violence and the protection of civilians.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with the European Union’s top diplomat, denounced the rebel group’s capture of Minova, Saké and Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu.
“We urge M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to cease their offensive in all directions,” the statement said. “This offensive constitutes a flagrant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC.”
The ministers also condemned M23’s push into South Kivu and called for an end to all foreign support for armed groups operating in the region.
The renewed fighting has forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes, exacerbating what the G7 described as “already difficult humanitarian conditions.” The ministers called for the safe and unhindered delivery of aid and urged all parties to return to negotiations under the Luanda Process, a regional peace initiative.
The statement reaffirmed the G7’s support for the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, and condemned attacks against peacekeepers, offering condolences to the families of those killed.
The ministers also denounced recent attacks on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa and called on Congolese authorities to ensure the safety of foreign envoys and embassies in line with international law.
